AD/EMB-110/46 - Rudder Trim Tab Actuator System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the issuance of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/EMB-110/46, pertains to the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes and specifically mandates actions concerning the rudder trim tab actuator system. This directive was introduced to address the problem of incorrect installation of the rudder trim tab system, which has previously caused failures of tab rods and resulted in severe vibration and control difficulties. The policy objective is to ensure that all models of the Embraer EMB-110 comply with the technical requirements outlined in Brazilian Airworthiness Directive T91-11-01, with a requirement for visual inspection of the tab system and compliance within 10 hours of time in service after 11 December 1991. Embraer Service Bulletin 110-27-0091 also references this directive.

Scope and Application

The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes Rudder Trim Tab Actuator System Airworthiness Directive (AD/EMB-110/46) applies to all models of the specified aircraft series, mandating compliance with the technical requirements set forth by the Brazilian Airworthiness Directive T91-11-01. This legislation falls under the purview of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and therefore governs all operations within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive necessitates a visual inspection of the tab system to ensure there are no issues such as incorrect installation, which has previously led to failures of the tab rods, causing severe vibration and control difficulties. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service after 11 December 1991. Embraer Service Bulletin 110-27-0091 provides additional reference for compliance. This legislative instrument does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, contain specific airworthiness directives that pertain to various aircraft models. One such directive, AD/EMB-110/46, addresses the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the rudder trim tab actuator system (Section 105). This directive requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in Brazilian Airworthiness Directive T91-11-01. The directive mandates a visual inspection of the tab system and references Embraer Service Bulletin SB 110-27-0091 for detailed instructions. Operators must ensure that the required action is completed within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service after 11 December 1991. Under this directive, the primary obligation for operators and owners of Embraer EMB-110 Series Aeroplanes is to conduct a thorough visual inspection of the rudder trim tab actuator system. This inspection is crucial to prevent potential issues such as incorrect installation of the tab system, which has previously led to failures of the tab rods. Such failures can result in severe vibration and control difficulties, posing a significant safety risk. Therefore, compliance with this directive is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical safety measure to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive stipulates that the inspection must be carried out within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service after 11 December 1991, indicating the urgency and importance of this requirement. Failure to comply with this directive can have serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties may include imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of neglecting safety directives. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the excerpt but generally reflect the seriousness of compromising aviation safety. Additionally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives such as AD/EMB-110/46 can result in the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary actions are taken. This not only impacts the operator's ability to conduct flights but also carries potential liability issues if an incident occurs due to non-compliance. Therefore, operators must ensure that they adhere to the stipulated timelines and technical requirements to avoid these adverse outcomes.